Passing by cattle ranches, coffee and sugar cane plantations to arrive at Punta Renas, where we took the hour long ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula. From the landing there was another hour drive to the Pacific coast and the Tango Mar Resort. Our beautiful room overlooked the ocean, as did the pool, restaurant and bar.…
Back on the mainland, surrounded by Mango plantations is the Cien Fuegos Eco Ranch. This was my favorite day in Costa Rica…a cooking class and the chance to gallop across the hills on horseback. As we arrived we were given a Churchill, a mixture of crushed ice, cherry syrup, powdered milk and condensed milk….very refreshing!…
Located in the cloud forest, the lovely Villa Blanca is one of Costa Rica’s Greentique hotels. There is a beautiful chapel on the grounds that can be used for a destination wedding. Each room is it’s own casita complete with a fireplace to make the cool evenings cozy. The main lodge has a covered porch with rocking…
The Sueno Azulejo is an elegant rustic style property on 2,500 acres of a private rain forest. The owner, Federico, and his wife are warm and welcoming and have created a peaceful sanctuary complete with rocking chairs in each veranda, an open air museum, pool and rodeo arena, where he shows his Lipizan horses. …
As we drove towards the Caribbean to experience the nature preserve of Tortuguero we passed banana and heart of palm plantations. In order to reach the town of Tortuguero we took a 45 minute ride on a river, then boarded a smaller boat to explore the preserve. We spotted howler monkies, a sloth, iguanas, a…
After arriving at San Jose we were wisked away to the nearby Doubletree, an oasis of calm in a congested city. An al fresco dinner was served and then Hector, guide extraordinaire and an encyclopedia of knowledge told us the schedule for the week. We left bright and early for a tour of San Jose,…
I arrived at the San Jose Doubletree today, the beginning of my Costa Rica exploration with Perillo Tours. This is a new destination for them and they promise to introduce us to an authentic experience while staying at iconic off-the-beaten-path hotels. I can’t wait to see what this week brings. I will bring you along…
Island of Crete Yoga Retreat with Marci Lew Rescheduled for May, 2014! This one of a kind retreat will provide a taste of the magical spirit of the island of Crete. From the charming “Venice of Greece” to the restored 17th century stone eco-lodge nestled in the mountains, you will experience the unique cultural, culinary,…
Historically, Charleston has a impressive cultural heritage. One of the best ways to learn about its colorful past and the part it played in the civil war is to take a carriage ride through the city. Stroll the gracious, residential streets of Church and Lagare, taking time to wander through the ancient cemeteries along the…
Charleston has it all; historic houses, a great civil war heritage, rivers and beaches for exploration and some of the best cuisine in the south. We stayed in a quaint little B&B near the market called the Palmer Pinckney Inn. Our room is cozy with a fireplace and whirlpool tub, perfect for a February stay.…